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Ex Brazilian Football Boss Jailed In The US

A former President of Brazil’s Soccer Federation was sentenced on Wednesday by a U.S. judge to four years in prison after being convicted on corruption charges related to the bribery scandal at FIFA, the sport’s governing body.

Jose Maria Marin, 86, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge, Pamela Chen, in Brooklyn, New York. He was also fined $1.2 million and ordered to forfeit $3.34 million.

Mr. Marin, the former head of Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF), was convicted on Dec. 22 by a federal jury on six conspiracy counts, including to commit racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.

He was among the first to stand trial over what U.S. prosecutors called a sprawling scheme involving payments of more than $200 million of bribes and kickbacks in exchange for marketing and broadcast rights for soccer matches.

Prosecutors said Mr. Marin received several million dollars in bribes.

Prosecutors had sought a minimum 10-year prison term, less 13 months than Mr. Marin has already spent in custody.
Defence lawyers said Mr. Marin’s age and health meant he should be sentenced to time served, court papers showed.

At least 42 individuals and entities have been charged in the FIFA probe and many have pleaded guilty.